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STRATEGY FOR THE DAY: spin in circles

Too much to do and not enough time!

I am selling several pieces of outboard gear on eBay. Now that I do all my mixes on computer, I found that I wasn't even powering up a whole rack of outboard gear and didn't need my big 24*8 Mackie console (I replaced it with a much smaller model.) so I decided to sell it all. The prospect of setting up auctions on eBay, photographing all the equipment, describing it, answering questions, - but especially shipping it out if it sold - seemed overwhelming and I kept postponing it. Finally my brother-in-law offered to help out so I took him up on it. He photographed it all and posted the items. All I have to do is watch! Besides the Mackie, there are two Alesis 3630 Compressor/Limiters, a DP/4 multi-effects processor, an ALEX reverb by Lexicon, and a Behringer Ultrafex exciter/expander. An Ashley dual-channel 15-band equalizer was sold within the first hour. With the proceeds, I plan to upgrade the processor power in my G4 (Need speed!) and get the latest Digital Performer upgrade. (I'm still using 3.0). THEN... I hope to find some time to USE it!

I'm giving a basic-level songwriting course starting next Tuesday eve, followed by an intermediate course. I only offer the intermediate level once a year and I enjoy it. I am thinking of starting a second small private group but I'm having trouble figuring out when to schedule it. Workshops and private students are all going along very well.

I just finished a new program for Ted Airlines. I've settled into a good mix of instrumental styles - celtic, New Grass, smooth jazz, worldbeat, and electronica. Doing the show makes me get out there and actively trawl for interesting artists. Bands like Railroad Earth and The String Cheese Incident are making great acoustic-based music - Railroad Earth is New Grass, SCI is impossible to categorize and a lot of fun. Going back into Narada Music's archives, I rediscovered guitarists Ralf Illenberger and Friedemann. In smooth jazz, Jeff Kashiwa is doing some outstanding work. I also like Steve Oliver. I've been using at least one track by 3rd Force on each of the last four "Tedscapes" programs. Their brand of melodic smooth jazz is very appealing. Keyboard player William Aura is one-third of the group and an old friend from Higher Octave. I'm now using two vocal tracks in each show. I just added Madeleine Peyroux - love her Billie Holiday-style vocals and I'm glad to see Rounder Records having a semi-hit! - and a track by Lowen & Navarro from their latest album All the Time In The World. In the past I've used tracks by Nick Drake, David Kitt, Darren Hayes, and Indigo Girls.

I'm finally seeing some improvement in my asthma which, in turn, means I have more energy. Singing requires breathing, creativity requires energy so, at last, I can begin to think about doing some songwriting. I don't know why thinking up words and music while (mostly) sitting around in front of a keyboard should be so exhausting, but it is. If I'm tired, I can't come up with a good line to save my life!

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Read A Brief History Of Love Songs by Robin Frederick at the Sound Experience Music web site.

Copyright 2005 Robin Frederick. All rights reserved.